Rolling Hills Estates peacock deaths investigated

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, Calif. (KABC) -- Who is killing peacocks on the Palos Verdes Peninsula? Residents tend to either love them or hate them. Examinations of the dead birds found in Rolling Hills Estates show some were shot.

Resplendent, exotic and so adaptable to the Rolling Hills Neighborhood where they have lived for decades.

Residents don't know how many peacocks and peahens live on Buckskin Lane. But they do know someone is trying to kill them off.

So many dead birds have been found that officers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Los Angeles (SPCLA) are increasing surveillance: 47 dead peafowl have been found over the last two years. Two were found last weekend, one with a telltale injury.

"It had buckshot, which is bullets that are shot from a shotgun, embedded, which caused fractures to its legs," said animal-cruelty investigator SPCALA Lt. Cesar Perea, Animal Protection Services.

The birds are noisy. Some residents complain of damage to their roofs and cars. But hurting the birds is a crime.

Twelve peafowl have been killed by BBs; 15 were killed by vehicles; five from poisoning; one from blunt-force trauma; and one was killed with a crossbow.

"We've been doing quite a bit of surveillance in the area, hopefully trying to catch somebody in the act," said Perea.

Perea has collected human DNA evidence on one projectile and is now seeking a match in the criminal database.

"If you're going to injure a bird, it's a felony crime, and if we get information that you are injuring a bird then we're going to prosecute you, absolutely," said Perea.

Anyone with information is urged to call (800) 540-SPCA.